CHAPTER 37: Fake

**ALICIA**

“Alicia! Oh, my gosh! Thank the heavens because you are now awake!” My mother hugged me, wiping her tears as soon as I opened my eyes.

My eyes were blurry but it seems like I am inside a hospital room judging by the looks of it…and the bright light. I hadn’t lifted a finger yet when my father spoke.

“We are glad that you are alive, Alicia.”

Alive? I am alive. I kept on saying that while trying to remember what happened before I came in this place. All I could remember was passing through that tunnel then being inside the forest of those group who abducted Akihiro.

“Akihiro!” I immediately said. “Where is Akihiro? Is he already okay?” I was already panicking when Ross held my shoulder.

“What? Why are you suddenly asking for Akihiro? Did he do something to you? Is he the reason why you are unconcious in the road? Did he left you there?” Ross continued asking and I was the one confused now.

“Wait…I was left alone in the road?” I raised my brow.

No! I wasn’t sure that isn’t what happened. I closed my eyes and recalled the situation. We were in the middle of the field and some people they called hunters appeared…harming the vampires.

Hades! I remembered Hades catching the dagger before it landed in my chest. Then, there were arrows fired…and chaos. They were fighting in order to save Akihiro until the head of the clan appeared. He looks so familiar to me like I know him.

After that, I heard Akihiro screamed…and I was brought to the hunters. What happened next is a mystery.

They didn’t kill me! I am still alive which brings me to my next question…who are they? Why they didn’t kill me? It is truly impossible that they will spare my life.

I started checking my body and there is not even a slight scratch.

“Hey, sweetie. Are you hurt? Let’s get you a doctor—”

“I am not hurt, mother.” I replied to her. “I am okay….” I shook my head. “I am okay…and that is weird.”

“What do you mean by that?” My father asked me. “What’s weird? Did something happen before you come in here?”

I bowed my head. There are a lot of things going on and telling it to them might not do any good. I need to find Akihiro as soon as possible to get some answers. However, he already appeared in front of me before I could even say a thing.

“Akihiro, what are you doing in here?” Ross blocked his way before he could come to my bed. “You didn’t even knock. Do you think it’s rude?”

“I am sorry. I heard about her…and I am just worried.”

Ross raised his brow. “Since when did you worry about her? Are you even close at her?”

“He might be worrying about the film.” I responded.

“I’m sorry for barging in, Mr and Mrs. Reed, I just want to make sure that she is okay.” He explained to them.

“Are you with her? Did you leave her alone? It seems like my daughter isn’t telling me something. Isn’t it weird that she is screaming your name as soon as she wakes up?”

“Are you dating my daughter?” My father said and I instantly stopped him because it was so embrassing. “I want to be clear right now with regards to his motive. He is also the same guy who went to our house. You haven’t told us about him…and you are starting to keep things from us since you met him!” He was already mad at me…and I have never seen him mad like this.

I could sense this isn’t only about Akihiro…but there is something else. Everything seems to not be in a right place since the incident at the school happened. What are my parents hiding?

“You are starting to lose your control, Dad.” I stopped him, trying to calm him. So far, my whole body is okay like nothing happened. I’ll bet I can even go home…although there’s something in my brain that I couldn’t figured it out.

“I’ve known him before so—”

“You don’t know him.” My mother replied like she knew something about them. My mother glared at him. “I appreciate the care but we don’t want you in here.”

Akihiro bowed down. “I am very sorry again.”

I creased my brow. “Akihiro?” I called him.

“Yes?” He replied.

Weird. His eyes felt like it’s not his own. Why am I feeling this?

“Mom, Dad, Ross…I need to talk to Akihiro about our club. Surely, it was the reason why he is here. Can you give us a moment?”

“You can talk here.” Dad firmly said.

“We need just a moment. You can stay outside. I’ll scream if he do something to me!” I seriously told them. “I need a moment alone.”

My mother sighed as she stood up from the side of the bed. I caught a glimpse of the symbol in her wrist bracelet that is my first time to see. It was the same one…my father had given me as an heirloom in my hairpin…and the same one I saw in the dagger.

Were they all coincidence?

“I am warning you, Akihiro. Touch our daughter…and you can never go out in here…alive.” My mother looked at her.

I think I heard him whispering how Akihiro wasn’t supposed to be here. It raised suspicion.

“Are you okay?” I immediately asked Akihiro as soon as they left the room.

“I am a vampire. Have you forgotten about it?” He smiled at me.

I stared at the Akihiro in front of me. Nothing has changed in his face nor how he present himself, but at once glance…I am sure he isn’t the Akihiro I knew.

“I see. Then, how about you tell me what happened? Why am I spared? Who are those people?” I started asking those questions. “I am going insane now! Are they going to kill me now?”

“Calm down, Alicia. I will not let anything happen to you. It’s been settled now…so you just take a rest. And, tell me if you need—”

I laughed a little while looking at Akihiro in front of me right now. If it’s another day, then I would probably be happy to hear it from him.

“Stop fooling me.” I glared at him. “You aren’t Akihiro.”

He grinned, his hands on my neck now.